I agree that dogs lick to either get food off our skin and they also lick to show love.....
But as we all know all dogs are different.... I have two dobermans in the house and they are definatly LOVE lickers. But I have an Aussie outside and she is a FOOD licker.. And then my husband has a mix breed from the pound and she will not lick anyone ( No matter what)... But that may be due to her previous owners.
I have never owned a Doberman before so Id like to comment on them a little bit... Growing up dobermans were" bad dogs". Everyone said they were mean and vicious...But having these two babies in the house has totally turned around my thinking of the breed. These are the most LOVING dogs I have ever owned.. They love to be with people and are more like people than anyone could ever imagine. and Sooooo smart.. anywhere I go they are with me at my side. They like to sit on laps( they are 9 months old and about 90 pounds). When I wash dishes they sit on my feet... Im a painter and as Im painting( sitting in a chair ) My boy doberman, Baron, will lay his head in my lap.. Same as when IM eating... SO AMAZING..... And the other one is a" white doberman" actually she is a off white with pure whit markings and Blue eyes.. Absolutely georgous...!!!!! People on the net sometimes say" negative" things about the white doberman, But owning one, Id like to tell ya how great she is.. my babies were both born exactly the same day but came from different familys!! So we call them the " twins" even though they are complete opposites.. at 9 months old.. they sit, lay, stay ... turn on lights.. Open doors.. shake hands and dance. and a few other choice tricks. Any how.. they are KISSERS and LICKERS... Not a mean bone in their bodies, ( unless its protecting the family)